Brush for applying a composition to the eyelashes or eyebrows

ABSTRACT

A brush for applying a cosmetic composition (P) to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, having a core, preferably made of plastics material, having a longitudinal axis (X), a plurality of rows of spikes disposed around the core and along the latter, where, for at least each of a number k of said rows, where k is greater than or equal to 2, at least three successive spikes in this row, of respective ranks p, p+1 and p+2, have elongation axes (Y) that make respective angles a p , a p+1  and a p+2  at their base with the longitudinal axis (X) of the core, where p is an integer between 1 and n−3, where n denotes the number of spikes in the row, at least two of the angles a p , a p+1  and a p+2  being different, at least one spike of the same rank p having a different orientation a p  for at least two of these k rows.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to applicators for applying a cosmetic,makeup or care, product to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, in particularmascara, and to packaging and application devices having a containercontaining the product to be applied and the applicator.

BACKGROUND

The container is conventionally provided with a wiping member that wipesthe stem of the applicator as it is withdrawn from the container. Thebehavior of the applicator member on passing through the wiping memberdepends on numerous factors, such as the shape and nature of the lip ofthe wiping member, the joining part between the stem and the applicatormember, and the arrangement of the application elements on theapplicator member.

A compromise needs to be found with regard to the quantity of productthat is left on the applicator member for application of makeup.Excessive wiping of the applicator member causes the latter to beinsufficiently loaded and obliges the user to frequently dip theapplicator back into the container. Insufficient wiping leaves an excessof product that is difficult to manage and may result in clumps ofproduct on poorly separated eyelashes.

The application WO2018/099865 A1 discloses a brush for applying acosmetic product to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, having:

-   -   a core made of plastics material, having a longitudinal axis,    -   spikes carried by the core, including at least a first row of        spikes extending longitudinally, this row having a succession of        at least four consecutive spikes disposed at respective        abscissae x₁ to x₄ along the longitudinal axis of the core,        where d₁=x₂−x₁, d₂=x₃−x₂, d₃=x₄−x₃ and d₁, d₂ and d₃ are        different in pairs. The spike of abscissa x₁ is not necessarily        the first spike in the row starting from the proximal end of the        brush.

The application WO 2010/007588 A2 discloses a brush injection moldedfrom plastics material, with “fanned” orientations of at least a part ofthe spikes when the brush is viewed from the side.

Injection-molded brushes having a curved core and a radial implantationof the spikes with respect to the core have also been proposed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There is a need to further improve applicators for applying a product tothe eyelashes and/or eyebrows, in order to improve the performancethereof, and more particularly to promote the creation on the applicatormember of zones laden with product, which allow easy application ofmakeup and rapid and abundant loading of the eyelashes and/or eyebrows,to give them volume initially, while retaining a high capacity toseparate the eyelashes and/or eyebrows in a second makeup step.

The invention aims in particular to propose a brush that has good makeupperformance aspects in terms of loading the eyelashes with product andseparating them.

The invention aims to meet this need and the subject thereof, accordingto a first of its aspects, is a brush for applying a cosmeticcomposition to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, having:

-   -   a core, preferably made of plastics material, having a        longitudinal, preferably rectilinear axis,    -   a plurality of rows of spikes disposed around the core and along        the latter, where, for at least each of a number k of said rows,        where k is greater than or equal to 2, at least three successive        spikes in this row, of respective ranks p, p+1 and p+2, have        elongation axes that make respective angles a_(p), a_(p+1) and        a_(p+2) at their base with the longitudinal axis of the core,        where p is an integer between 1 and n−3, where n denotes the        number of spikes in the row, at least two of the angles a_(p),        a_(p+1) and a_(p+2) being different, at least one spike of the        same rank p having a different orientation a_(p) for at least        two of these k rows.        The number k of rows in question is greater than or equal to 2,        better still greater than or equal to E(m/2), where m is the        total number of rows of the brush, even better still equal to m,        E denoting the entire part.        The invention makes it possible to obtain a distribution of the        spikes that is favorable to obtaining a compromise between the        performance aspects of loading the eyelashes with product,        combing and curling eyelashes.        In particular, in a preferred implementation of the invention,        the distribution of the orientations of the spikes within at        least a part of the rows of spikes of the brush approaches a        pseudo-random distribution.        The brush may have two rows of consecutive spikes with different        configurations, and the other rows of spikes may be formed by        the repetition of these two rows, with one alternating with the        other around the longitudinal axis of the brush.        In a variant, the brush has at least three rows with different        respective configurations, or even at least E(m/2) rows with        different respective configurations, and at a push, all the rows        may have different configurations.        Preferably, the rows of spikes are all parallel to the        longitudinal axis of the core.        Preferably, for at least one row of spikes and preferably for        each row of spikes, the spacing between the spikes in the row at        their base and/or at their peak is not regular. The distance        between the abscissae at the peak of two consecutive spikes may        vary from one pair of consecutive spikes to the next.        Preferably, the spacing at the base of the spikes in at least        two of the k rows is not constant. In particular, it may be the        case that, for four consecutive spikes in at least one row, the        peaks of which are disposed at respective abscissae x_(m+1) to        x_(m+4) along the longitudinal axis of the core, where        s₁=x_(m+2)−x_(m+1), s₂=x_(m+3)−x_(m+2), s₃=x_(m+4)−x_(m+3), s₁,        s₂ and s₃ are different in pairs, when m is an integer. The        implantation of the spikes may be in accordance with the        teaching in the application WO2018/099865 A1.        The abscissa of a spike measured at its peak corresponds to the        distance, measured along the longitudinal axis of the core,        between the peak and a reference plane perpendicular to the        longitudinal axis of the core. The abscissae increase from the        proximal end of the applicator member to the distal end thereof.        The fact that there is both a non-regular distribution in the        change of the abscissae of the spikes at their base and/or at        their peak within the rows and a different change from one row        to another, and also a non-regular distribution of the        orientations of the spikes, makes it possible to further        increase the variety of configurations formed by the spikes at        the surface of the brush. The outer surface of the brush may        have the appearance of a jumble of spikes without a regular        geometric distribution, even though the spikes of the brush are        obtained by molding material and not by way of fibers held        between turns of a twisted core. The spikes may in particular be        molded with the core, preferably from one or more thermoplastic        materials.        Preferably, for at least two consecutive rows of spikes, at        least a part of the spikes in one row crosses at least a part of        the spikes in the other row, when the brush is viewed from the        side, in a direction perpendicular to its longitudinal axis.        Such crossings form grooves or Vs in which the eyelashes can        fit, and make possible in particular to spread the composition        on the surface thereof.        Preferably, the distances between the peaks of at least three        consecutive spikes in at least one row are different. The        variability of this distance results advantageously from a        variability in the height of the spikes, in their orientation        and in the distance between them at their base. Thus,        preferably, at least one row, and better still each row of        spikes has spikes of which the height varies, the orientation        varies and the spacing to the adjacent spikes varies. It is        possible in particular to have fewer than four spikes, better        still fewer than three spikes, even better still fewer than two        spikes, within one row that have the same heights. In the same        way, it is possible to have fewer than four spikes, better still        fewer than three spikes, even better still fewer than two        spikes, within one row that have the same orientations. For at        least one row, and preferably for the majority and better still        for all of the rows, the angles a_(p), a_(p+1) and a_(p+2) are        preferably all different, for at least E(n/2) different values        of p, E denoting the entire part. The angles a_(p), a_(p+1) and        a_(p+2) may in particular all be different for any value of p        between 1 and n−3.        For at least two of the k rows, and in particular for each of        the k rows, there may be one or more of the following        characteristics:    -   the number N_(f) of spikes oriented toward the front and the        number N_(r) of spikes oriented toward the rear preferably        satisfy the relationship 0.3<N_(f)/N_(r)<2.5, where preferably        N_(f)/N_(r) is other than 1,    -   the number of successive spikes that are all oriented either        toward the front or toward the rear is preferably less than or        equal to 6,    -   the number N_(f) of spikes oriented toward the front and the        number N_(r) of spikes oriented toward the rear satisfy the        relationship N_(f)/N_(r)>1.1 or N_(r)/N_(f)>1.1,    -   the number of spikes oriented toward the front for which there        exists a corresponding spike oriented toward the rear with the        same angle in terms of absolute value is less than or equal to        1, and better still is strictly less than 1,    -   the number of spikes oriented perpendicularly to the        longitudinal axis of the brush is less than or equal to 4, in        particular less than or equal to 3, or even zero, these spikes        oriented in this way preferably not being consecutive,    -   the length of the spikes in the row varies,    -   the number of pairs of consecutive spikes in which the two        spikes are both oriented toward the front or are both oriented        toward the rear is less than or equal to 50% of the total number        of pairs of consecutive spikes in the row,    -   the number of pairs of consecutive spikes in which the two        spikes are oriented with opposite orientations toward the front        and toward the rear, or vice versa, is less than or equal to 75%        of the total number of pairs of consecutive spikes in the row,    -   the number n of spikes in the row is greater than or equal to        10, better still between 15 and 25,    -   the distances between peaks of consecutive spikes in a row are        different for at least half of the pairs of consecutive spikes        in this row, and better still for all of the pairs in this row,    -   the distances d_(i) and d_(i+1) between the peaks of three        consecutive spikes with respective abscissae x_(i), x_(i+1) and        x_(i+2) in the row satisfy d_(i)< >d_(i+1),    -   when the brush is viewed from the side in a direction        perpendicular to its longitudinal axis, at least a part of the        spikes in one row crosses those in the adjacent row, with        preferably at least h spikes out of then in the row crossing        another spike in the adjacent row, where preferably h/n> 1/10,    -   when the brush is viewed from the side in a direction        perpendicular to its longitudinal axis, at least a part of the        spikes in one row does not cross any spike in the adjacent row,        with preferably at least g spikes out of the n in the row not        crossing another spike in the adjacent row, where preferably        g/n>¼,    -   for each of the rows, more than four consecutive spikes are all        oriented either toward the front or toward the rear,    -   the number of spikes oriented toward the front is greater than        that of the spikes oriented toward the rear for one of the rows,        while the opposite is the case for a consecutive row,    -   the number of changes in orientation of the spikes from the        front to the rear or vice versa within one row is greater than        or equal to ¼ of the total number of spikes in the row and less        than or equal to ½,    -   the number of pairs of consecutive spikes within one row that        have a width that, for the first spike in the pair, increases        with respect to the preceding one and, for the second spike in        the pair, decreases with respect to the preceding one, or, for        the first spike in the pair, decreases with respect to the        preceding one and, for the second spike in the pair, increases        with respect to the preceding one, is greater than or equal to ⅓        of the total number of spikes in the row and less than or equal        to ⅘,    -   the number of spikes at a time where two consecutive spikes are        the same width may be less than or equal to 2, and it is        possible for at least one of the rows not to have any spike that        follows another with the same width,    -   the ratio between the number of spikes oriented toward the front        and the total number of spikes within one row is between 1/4 et        ⅔, or even between ¼ and ½ or between ½ et ⅔ with respect to the        total number of spikes in this row,    -   the ratio between the number of spikes oriented toward the rear        and the total number of spikes within one row is between ⅓ and        ⅔,    -   the orientations of the elongation axes of the spikes with        respect to the longitudinal axis of the brush are between 70°        and 110°,    -   the widths of the spikes are between 0.15 and 0.35 mm, better        still between 0.17 and 0.3 mm,    -   the gaps w between consecutive spikes at their base are between        0.1 and 1.8 mm, with an average of between 0.75 mm and 1.25 mm,    -   the number of times where one spike of the same rank has an        opposite orientation to that of a spike of the same rank in the        consecutive row is greater than or equal to ½ with respect to        the total number of spikes in this row, and preferably less than        or equal to ¾,    -   the number of times where one spike of the same rank has an        orientation in the same direction, toward the front or toward        the rear, as that of a spike of the same rank in the consecutive        row is greater than or equal to ¼ with respect to the total        number of spikes in this row, and preferably less than or equal        to ½,    -   the average of the inclinations of the spikes within one row is        between 80 and 100°, in particular between 90° and 100°,    -   the standard deviation between the orientations of the spikes        within one row is between 5 and 15°.        When the brush is viewed from the side in a direction        perpendicular to its longitudinal axis, at least a part of the        spikes in one row may cross those in the adjacent row, and thus        form outwardly open grooves, with preferably at least h spikes        out of the n in the row crossing another spike in the adjacent        row, where preferably h/n> 1/10, or even ⅓.        When the brush is viewed from the side in a direction        perpendicular to its longitudinal axis, it is possible for at        least a part of the spikes in one row not to cross any spike in        the adjacent row, with preferably at least g spikes out of the n        in the row not crossing another spike in the adjacent row, where        preferably g/n>⅓, or even ½. It is thus possible for spikes to        remain on the brush that make it easier for the eyelashes to        penetrate close to the core. The spikes that cross preferably        have opposite orientation, meaning that one of the spikes is        oriented toward the front and the other spike, in the adjacent        row, toward the rear.        Preferably, the elongation axes of the spikes in at least two of        the k rows, and better still in each of the rows, are all        contained in a single plane, preferably a radial plane        containing the longitudinal axis of the brush. This makes it        easier to mold the brush with the aid of a multiple-shell mold.        All of the spikes in a single row may have faces that lie in a        single plane.        Preferably, fewer than j row(s) comply with one and the same        sequence of values of angles a of the elongation axes, starting        from the rear end of the row toward the front end, j being less        than or equal to E(m/2), m being the total number of rows,        better still j being less than or equal to 2, even better still        less than or equal to 1. The brush may thus lack symmetry with        respect to its longitudinal axis or with respect to a median        plane containing the latter. The brush may also lack, as regards        the implantation of the spikes, a plane of symmetry        perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the brush.        The total number m of rows of spikes for the brush is preferably        between 6 and 20, better still between 12 and 20, even better        still between 14 and 20, in particular 16 or 18.        Preferably, with f being the total number of spikes of the brush        and q the total number of values of different orientations        a_(p,y), the ratio q/f is greater than or equal to 50%, better        still greater than or equal to 60%. In other words, the brush        has relatively few spikes of which the orientation a with        respect to the longitudinal axis of the core is the same.        At least a part, better still all of the spikes have at least        one edge, better still two edges, in particular a flat face and        a face that is convex toward the outside. All of the spikes of        at least two of the k rows, and preferably all of the rows, have        a flat face contained in a single plane for the row, as        mentioned above.

A further subject of the invention, independently or in combination withthe above, is a brush for applying a cosmetic composition to theeyelashes and/or eyebrows, having:

-   -   a core, preferably made of plastics material, having a        longitudinal, preferably rectilinear axis,    -   a plurality of rows of spikes disposed around the core and along        the latter, where, for at least each of a number k of said rows,        where k is greater than or equal to 2, at least three successive        spikes in this row, of respective ranks p, p+1 and p+2, have        elongation axes that make respective angles a_(p), a_(p+1) and        a_(p+2) at their base with the longitudinal axis of the core,        where p is an integer between 1 and n−3, where n denotes the        number of spikes in the row, at least two of the angles a_(p),        a_(p+1) and a_(p+2) being different, at least 25%, better still        at least 50%, of the pairs of consecutive spikes for at least        one of the k rows, better still for each of the k rows, having        spikes with opposite orientations.

A further subject of the invention, independently or in combination withthe above, is a brush for applying a cosmetic composition to theeyelashes and/or eyebrows, having:

-   -   a core, preferably made of plastics material, having a        longitudinal, preferably rectilinear axis,    -   a plurality of rows of spikes disposed around the core and along        the latter, where, for at least each of a number k of said rows,        where k is greater than or equal to 2, at least three successive        spikes in this row, of respective ranks p, p+1 and p+2, have        elongation axes that make respective angles a_(p), a_(p+1) and        a_(p+2) at their base with the longitudinal axis of the core,        where p is an integer between 1 and n−3, where n denotes the        number of spikes in the row, f is the total number of spikes of        the brush and q is the total number of values of different        orientations a_(p,y), the ratio q/f being greater than or equal        to 50%, better still greater than or equal to 60%, y being the        number of the row.

A further subject of the invention is a device for packaging andapplying a cosmetic composition to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows,having:

-   -   a container containing the composition to be applied,    -   a brush according to the invention, as defined above.        A further subject of the invention is a method for cosmetically        treating the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, involving applying a        cosmetic composition to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows with the        aid of a brush according to the invention, as defined above, or        a device according to the invention, comprising such a brush.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be understood better from reading the followingdetailed description of a non-limiting implementation example thereofand from studying the appended drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 schematically shows, in partial longitudinal section, an exampleof a packaging and application device according to the invention,

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the brush, on its own,

FIG. 3 is a face-on view of the brush in FIG. 2 ,

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal section through the brush in FIG. 2 ,

FIG. 5 shows a detail of the implantation of the spikes,

FIG. 6 is a view of the implantation of the spikes on the brush, afterthe surface of the core has been flattened,

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the brush,

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a brush variant according to theinvention,

FIG. 9 is a face-on view of the brush along IX in FIG. 8 ,

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal section through the brush in FIG. 8 in theplane of a row, and

FIG. 11 is a view, similar to FIG. 10 , in the plane of a rowconsecutive to the one in that figure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a packaging and application device 1 having acontainer 3 containing a product P to be applied and an applicator 2 forapplying the latter.

In this example, the container 3 has a neck 4 that receives a wipingmember 6, in a manner known per se.

The applicator 2 has a gripping member 5, which also forms a closure capfor the container 3, and bears a stem 7, provided at its opposite endfrom the gripping member 5 with a brush 10 according to the invention,which is shown on its own in FIG. 2 .

The wiping member 6 is for example a wiping member having an elastomerlip, the inside diameter of which corresponds to that of the stem.

The brush 10 is made of thermoplastic material, preferably by injectionmolding, but the invention is not limited to a particular material forproducing the brush.

The brush 10 has a core 11, and spikes 12 that protrude from the core.

The core 11 is extended at one end by an end piece 13 for fixing thebrush 10 in the stem 7.

The spikes 12 are organized on the brush 10 in rows 14, of which thereare for example sixteen, as can be seen in FIG. 3 .

All of the spikes 12 in an i^(th) row 14 are oriented substantially on asingle radial plane R_(i) containing the longitudinal axis X of thebrush 10, as illustrated in particular in FIG. 3 .

Within this i^(th) row 14, the spikes 12 are identified by their rank pfrom the proximal end 15 of the brush 10 and by the abscissa x_(p,i) attheir peak from a reference plane, as illustrated in FIG. 5 .

The angle that the elongation axis Y of a spike 12 of rank p in one rowi makes with respect to the longitudinal axis X of the core is denoteda_(p,i). This angle is measured at the base of the corresponding spike.Preferably, the elongation axis Y of a spike is rectilinear. Theelongation axis Y of a spike 12 is the axis that passes through thecenters of mass of its cross section, from the base at which the spike12 is attached to the core to its peak. Where necessary, the anglea_(p,i) is measured in projection in a plane that contains thelongitudinal axis X of the core and the axis of the row, a value of 90°meaning that the elongation axis Y of the spike 12 is contained in aplane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X of the core 11, a valueless than 90° that the spike is oriented toward the proximal end of thecore, that is to say toward the stem 7 that supports the brush 10 (i.e.toward the rear), and a value greater than 90° that the spike isoriented toward the distal end of the core (i.e. toward the front).

The width of a spike 12 of rank p in a row of order i at its base isdenoted l_(p,i) This width is measured parallel to the longitudinal axisX of the core.

In the example in question, the spikes 12 each have a semi-conicalshape, with a flat face 22. All of the spikes 12 in one and the samei^(th) row 14 have their flat faces contained in a single plane R_(i),which is preferably a radially oriented plane, as can be seen in FIG. 3.

It can be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5 in particular that, for at least twoconsecutive rows of spikes, at least a part of the spikes in one rowcrosses at least a part of the spikes in the other row, when the brushis viewed from the side, in a direction perpendicular to itslongitudinal axis, as in these figures. Such crossings form grooves orVs 20 in which the eyelashes can fit, and make possible in particular tospread the composition on the surface thereof.

The brush 10 for example has the following characteristics: for threesuccessive rows 14 of spikes, x denotes the abscissa of the peak of thespike of rank p, a the inclination of its elongation axis Y with respectto the longitudinal axis X of the core at its base, and l the width atits base, measured in the direction of the longitudinal axis X. Sinceeach spike 12 has a semicircular cross section, with a flat facecontained in the corresponding radial plane R_(i), the width at the baseof the spike also corresponds to the diameter of the spike at its base.

TABLE 1 Row Spikes x Angle a l Row 1 Spike 1 1.36 69.51 0.78 Spike 23.76 89.8 0.5 Spike 3 5.32 100.93 0.74 Spike 4 6.17 93.82 0.5 Spike 57.01 74.74 0.51 Spike 6 8.97 94.82 0.47 Spike 7 9.96 86.79 0.47 Spike 811.55 94.82 0.47 Spike 9 13.08 108.86 0.48 Spike 10 14.68 108.02 0.73Spike 11 15.92 97.83 0.48 Spike 12 16.76 79.67 0.75 Spike 13 19.12 95.870.8 Spike 14 20.77 82.69 0.8 Spike 15 21.87 84.77 0.47 Spike 16 23.1494.83 0.44 Spike 17 24.17 94.83 0.39 Spike 18 24.8 79.61 0.53 Row 2Spike 1 0.6 73.82 0.51 Spike 2 1.97 95.02 0.5 Spike 3 2.96 86.99 0.5Spike 4 4.55 95.02 0.5 Spike 5 6.08 109.06 0.49 Spike 6 7.68 108.21 0.73Spike 7 8.45 84.98 0.5 Spike 8 9.92 93.03 0.47 Spike 9 10.76 79.86 0.7Spike 10 13.12 96.08 0.72 Spike 11 14.77 82.89 0.77 Spike 12 15.22 71.80.71 Spike 13 17.44 81.97 0.5 Spike 14 18.37 84.97 0.53 Spike 15 19.9495.02 0.54 Spike 16 21.82 101.13 0.69 Spike 17 22.34 81.96 0.45 Spike 1823.62 96.09 0.58 Spike 19 24.62 101.16 0.52 Spike 20 25.04 81.95 0.38Row 3 Spike 1 0.55 98.91 0.49 Spike 2 1.38 81.74 0.5 Spike 3 2.92 97.830.5 Spike 4 3.76 79.67 0.76 Spike 5 6.12 95.88 0.74 Spike 6 7.77 82.690.76 Spike 7 9.23 71.6 0.69 Spike 8 11.45 81.77 0.48 Spike 9 12.38 84.770.48 Spike 10 13.94 94.82 0.5 Spike 11 14.97 94.83 0.5 Spike 12 15.6179.65 0.77 Spike 13 16.86 89.8 0.49 Spike 14 18.32 100.92 0.77 Spike 1519.17 93.82 0.51 Spike 16 20.01 74.74 0.55 Spike 17 22.28 108.87 0.46Spike 18 22.76 89.8 0.42 Spike 19 24.03 108.05 0.54 Spike 20 24.41 74.720.4The values a, x and l are only given for three rows by way of example,and the values for the other rows are chosen so as to comply with one ormore of the conditions given above, and thus have, in these remainingrows, the same characteristics as for the first three rows.It will be noted on studying this table that, within one row of spikes12 of a brush 10 according to the invention, spikes having orientationstoward the rear (a<90°) and toward the front (a>90°) are found.It can be seen that, for the three rows 14 in the above table, at leastthree successive spikes in each row, of respective ranks p, p+1 and p+2and with peaks of abscissae x_(p), x_(p+1) and x_(p+2) along thelongitudinal axis of the brush, have elongation axes Y that makerespective angles a_(p), a_(p+1) and a_(p+2) with the longitudinal axisX at their base, where p is an integer between 1 and n−3, where ndenotes the number of spikes in the row, where at least two of theangles a_(p), a_(p+1) and a_(p+2) are different.In addition, at least one spike 12 of the same rank p has a differentorientation a_(p) from one row 14 to the next.In addition, it can be seen that, for these rows, the number N_(f) ofspikes oriented toward the front and the number N_(r) of spikes orientedtoward the rear satisfy the relationship 0.3<N_(f)/N_(r)<2.5.Thus, for row 1: N_(f)=10 and N_(r)=8, i.e. N_(f)/N_(r)=1.25, for row 2:N_(f)=10 and N_(r)=10, i.e. N_(f)/N_(r)=1, for row 3: N_(f)=9 andN_(r)=11, i.e. N_(f)/N_(r)=0.81.It can also be seen that, for at least some rows, the number N_(f) ofspikes oriented toward the front and the number N_(r) of spikes orientedtoward the rear satisfy the relationship N_(f)/N_(r)>1.1 orN_(r)/N_(f)>1.1. In other words, the number of spikes oriented towardthe front is different than the number of spikes oriented toward therear, within one row.In the example in question, the number of successive spikes 12 that areall oriented either toward the front or toward the rear is less than orequal to 6 for each of the rows. For example, the spikes of ranks 8 to11 in the first row are all oriented toward the front, while the spikesof ranks 7 and 12 in this same row are oriented toward the rear.Still in the example in question, the number of spikes oriented towardthe front for which there exists a corresponding spike oriented towardthe rear with the same angle in terms of absolute value is less than orequal to 1 for at least some rows. For example, this number is zero forthe first row.The number of spikes oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal axisof the brush is zero for at least a part of the rows in the example inquestion, or even for all of the rows.The number of pairs of consecutive spikes in which the two spikes areboth oriented toward the front or are both oriented toward the rear maybe less than or equal to 75% of the total number of pairs of consecutivespikes in the row, for at least some rows. Preferably, this proportionis greater than 25% and less than 50%.For example, for the first row, which has 18 spikes and 17 pairs ofconsecutive spikes, only seven of them, which are formed by the pairs ofspikes (1,2), (3,4), (8,9), (9,10), (10,11), (14,15), (16,17), concernspikes that are both oriented toward the front or toward the rear.This results in a wide variety of orientations of the spikes on thebrush.The number of pairs of consecutive spikes in which the two spikes areoriented with opposite orientations toward the front and toward therear, or vice versa, may be less than or equal to 75% of the totalnumber of pairs of consecutive spikes in the row, for at least one row,and preferably each of the rows. Preferably, this proportion is greaterthan 25%.For example, for the first row, the following pairs have two consecutivespikes with opposite orientations: (2,3), (4,5), (5,6), (6,7), (11,12),(12,13), (13,14), (15,16), (17,18), i.e. a ratio of 9/17=about 0.52.This is thus different than a fanned disposition of the spikes, whichdoes not have such successions of spikes having opposite orientations.It can also be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5 , for example, that, for at least apart of the successive spikes of ranks i, i+1 and i+2 in the row, thedistances between peaks of these spikes satisfy the relationship d_(i)<>d_(i+1). Also, |x_(i+2)−x_(i+1)|< >| x_(i+1)−x_(i)|.FIG. 6 shows the implantation of the spikes 12 on the core 11, and alsotheir size.It can be seen that, within at least one row 14, the size of the spikesvaries, with, for example, for row 1, successions of three or fourspikes with a small size less than or equal to 0.5 mm and a successionof three spikes with a large size greater than 0.5 mm, the spacingsbetween the spikes also varying. For the first row, there are forexample eight spikes with a large size, greater than 0.5 mm in diameterat their base, and ten spikes with a small size, less than or equal to0.5 mm in diameter at their base. The spacing between the centers of thespikes, given by the difference between the abscissae of two consecutivespikes, varies for example from less than 1 mm for some pairs ofconsecutive spikes to more than 1 mm for others.The deviations |x_(i+1)−x_(i)| between the abscissae of the peaks of thespikes, for i between 0 and n−1, where n is the number of spikes in therow, may vary around an average value of between 1.2 and 1.5 mm, for atleast one row, and better still for all of the rows. This variation maytake place around a median value of between 1.1 and 1.45 mm. Thedistribution of these deviations may have a positive coefficient ofasymmetry with respect to the average, in particular greater than 0.5.An embodiment variant of the brush 10 will now be described withreference to FIGS. 8 to 11 .According to this variant, the brush has two arrangements of rows thatrepeat identically around the longitudinal axis of the brush,alternately.In this example, the brush has sixteen rows 14, and there are thereforeeight rows R_(2i), where i is an integer ranging from 1 to 4, which havea first configuration, and eight other rows R_(2i+1), with integer iranging from 0 to 3, which have a second configuration, different thanthe first, the rows R_(2i) alternating with the rows R_(2i+1) around thelongitudinal axis of the brush. FIG. 10 shows a row R_(2i) and FIG. 11shows a row R_(2i+1).There are for example the following values, for each of these rows.

TABLE 2 Rank Spike Distance w_(i−1, i) spike row Abscissa × Spike basefrom preceding (R_(2i+1)) spike peak inclination width spike 1 1.8 mm73.62 deg 0.26 mm 2 3.8 mm 86.79 deg 0.3 mm 0.89 3 4.5 mm 80 deg 0.17 mm0.59 4 6.3 mm 100 deg 0.25 mm 0.31 5 7 mm 70 deg 0.3 mm 1.79 6 9.7 mm84.78 deg 0.2 mm 1.37 7 11.2 mm 79.66 deg 0.3 mm 1.28 8 13.1 mm 95.88deg 0.19 mm 0.54 9 15.45 mm 110 deg 0.3 mm 1.06 10 16.8 mm 90 deg 0.18mm 1.99 11 18.3 mm 100 deg 0.26 mm 0.52 12 19.35 mm 80 deg 0.28 mm 1.5913 21 mm 88 deg 0.17 mm 0.76 14 22 mm 79.65 deg 0.3 mm 0.98 15 24.2 mm100 deg 0.22 mm 0.59 16 25 mm 90 deg 0.26 mm 0.85 17 25.5 mm 80 deg 0.17mm 0.48 18 26.6 mm 90 deg 0.2 mm 0.32

TABLE 3 Rank Spike Distance w_(i−1, i) spike row Abscissa × Spike basefrom preceding (R_(2i)) spike peak inclination width spike 1 2.35 mm69.8 deg 0.3 mm 2 5.3 mm 90 deg 0.19 mm 1.44 3 6 mm 75 deg 0.3 mm 0.98 48 mm 95 deg 0.3 mm 0.36 5 9 mm 94.02 deg 0.19 mm 0.56 6 10.5 mm 95.02deg 0.24 mm 1.02 7 12.3 mm 109.07 deg 0.24 mm 0.57 8 13.4 mm 80 deg 0.35mm 2.04 9 14.5 mm 86 deg 0.3 mm 0.13 10 16.2 mm 98.03 deg 0.19 mm 0.5911 17.3 mm 79.84 deg 0.3 mm 1.55 12 19 mm 96.07 deg 0.19 mm 0.37 13 20mm 80 deg 0.3 mm 1.34 14 22.2 mm 100 deg 0.19 mm 0.67 15 23.2 mm 90 deg0.21 mm 1.12 16 24.6 mm 95 deg 0.27 mm 0.63 17 26.25 mm 115 deg 0.27 mm0.49The abscissa of the spikes corresponds to the distance between theirpeak and a single reference plane for all of the spikes.The inclination of a spike corresponds to the angle between theelongation axis of the spike and the longitudinal axis of the core.The distance from the preceding spike is expressed in mm and correspondsto the minimum gap measured along the longitudinal axis of the corebetween the spikes in question, at the base of the spikes by which theyare attached to the core, as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11 .The width at the base of a spike corresponds to the width measured alongthe longitudinal axis of the core at the base of the spike by which itis attached to the core.In this example, the spikes 12 have the same shape in section as thoseof the brush in FIG. 1 . The width at the base of the spikes thuscorresponds to the width of their flat side.On studying the above values, it will be seen that each of these tworows has all or some of the following characteristics:

for each of the rows, more than four consecutive spikes are all orientedeither toward the front or toward the rear,

there are at most three spikes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis ofthe core,

there are never two consecutive spikes perpendicular to the longitudinalaxis of the core,

the number N_(f) of spikes oriented toward the front is greater thanthat N_(r) of the spikes oriented toward the rear for one of the rows,while the opposite is the case for the other row,

the number of changes in orientation of the spikes from the front to therear or vice versa within one row is greater than or equal to ¼ of thetotal number of spikes in the row and less than or equal to ½,

the number of pairs of consecutive spikes within one row that have awidth that, for the first spike in the pair, increases with respect tothe preceding one and, for the second spike in the pair, decreases withrespect to the preceding one (this being the case for example of thepair of spikes of ranks 2 and 3 in the row R_(2i+1)), or, for the firstspike in the pair, decreases with respect to the preceding one and, forthe second spike in the pair, increases with respect to the precedingone, is greater than or equal to ⅓ of the total number of spikes in therow and less than or equal to ⅘,

the number of spikes at a time where two consecutive spikes are the samewidth may be less than or equal to 2, and it is possible for at leastone of the rows not to have any spike that follows another with the samewidth,

the ratio between the number of spikes oriented toward the front and thetotal number of spikes within one row is between ¼ et ⅔, or even between¼ and ½ or between ½ et ⅔ with respect to the total number of spikes inthis row,

the ratio between the number of spikes oriented toward the rear and thetotal number of spikes within one row is between ⅓ and ⅔,

the orientations of the spikes are between 70° and 110°,

the widths of the spikes are between 0.15 and 0.35 mm, better stillbetween 0.17 and 0.3 mm,

the gaps w between consecutive spikes at their base are between 0.1 and1.8 mm, with an average of between 0.75 mm and 1.25 mm,

the number of times where one spike of the same rank has an oppositeorientation to that of a spike of the same rank in the consecutive rowis greater than or equal to ½ with respect to the total number of spikesin this row, and preferably less than or equal to ¾,

the number of times where one spike of the same rank has an orientationin the same direction, toward the front or toward the rear, as that of aspike of the same rank in the consecutive row is greater than or equalto ¼ with respect to the total number of spikes in this row, andpreferably less than or equal to ½,

the average of the inclinations of the spikes within one row is between80 and 100°, in particular between 90° and 100°,

the standard deviation between the orientations of the spikes within onerow is between 5 and 15°,

the number N_(f) of spikes oriented toward the front and the numberN_(r) of spikes oriented toward the rear satisfy the relationship0.3<N_(f)/N_(r)<2.5, where preferably N_(f)/N_(r) is other than 1; inparticular, for each of the rows, 0.4<N_(f)/N_(r)<⅕,

the number N_(f) of spikes oriented toward the front and the numberN_(r) of spikes oriented toward the rear satisfy the relationshipN_(f)/N_(r)>1.1 or N_(r)/N_(f)>1.1,

the length of the spikes in the row varies,

the number of pairs of consecutive spikes in which the two spikes areboth oriented toward the front or are both oriented toward the rear isless than or equal to 50% of the total number of pairs of consecutivespikes in the row, and in particular is between 25 and 35%,

the number of pairs of consecutive spikes in which the two spikes areoriented with opposite orientations toward the front and toward therear, or vice versa, is less than or equal to 75% of the total number ofpairs of consecutive spikes in the row,

the number n of spikes in the row is between 15 and 25,

the distances between peaks of consecutive spikes in a row are differentfor at least half of the pairs of consecutive spikes in this row,

the distances d_(i) and d_(i+1) between the peaks of three consecutivespikes with respective abscissae x_(i), x₁₊₁ and x_(i+2) in the rowsatisfy d_(i)< >d_(i+1).

Needless to say, the invention is not limited to the examples that havejust been described. For example, the orientations of the spikes and thedistribution of the sizes of the spikes, and their disposition, may varywithin variants that are not illustrated.The brush may be manufactured by a technique other than injectionmolding, and from a material other than a thermoplastic material, ifnecessary.The spikes may be given a different shape, for example a conical orcylindrical shape or a shape with irregularities or protuberances.

1. A brush for applying a cosmetic composition to the eyelashes and/oreyebrows, having: a core having a longitudinal axis, a plurality of rowsof spikes disposed around the core and along the latter, where, for atleast each of a number k of said rows, where k is greater than or equalto 2, at least three successive spikes in this row, of respective ranksp, p+1 and p+2, have elongation axes that make respective angles a_(p),a_(p+1) and a_(p+2) at their base with the longitudinal axis of thecore, where p is an integer between 1 and n−3, where n denotes thenumber of spikes in the row, at least two of the angles a_(p), a_(p+1)and a_(p+2) being different, at least one spike of the same rank phaving a different orientation a_(p) for at least two of these k rows.2. The brush as claimed in claim 1, wherein, for at least twoconsecutive rows of spikes, at least a part of the spikes in one rowcrosses at least a part of the spikes in the other row, when the brushis viewed from the side, in a direction perpendicular to itslongitudinal axis.
 3. The brush as claimed in claim 1, wherein thedistances between the peaks of at least three consecutive spikes in atleast one row are different.
 4. The brush as claimed in claim 1, whereinthe rows are all parallel to the longitudinal axis of the core.
 5. Thebrush as claimed in claim 1, wherein the angles a_(p), a_(p+1) anda_(p+2) are all different, for at least E(n/2) different values of p, Edenoting the entire part, n denoting the number of spikes in the row. 6.The brush as claimed in claim 1, wherein, for at least two of the krows, the number N_(f) of spikes oriented toward the front and thenumber N_(r) of spikes oriented toward the rear satisfies therelationship 0.3<N_(f)/N_(r)<2.5.
 7. The brush as claimed in claim 1,wherein, for at least two of the k rows, the number of successive spikesthat are all oriented either toward the front or toward the rear is lessthan or equal to 6 for this row.
 8. The brush as claimed in claim 1,wherein the spacing at the base and/or at the peak of the spikes in atleast two of the k rows is not constant.
 9. The brush as claimed inclaim 1, wherein, for at least two of the k rows, the number N_(f) ofspikes oriented toward the front and the number N_(r) of spikes orientedtoward the rear satisfies the relationship N_(f)/N_(r)>1.1 orN_(r)/N_(f)>1.1.
 10. The brush as claimed in claim 1, wherein, when thebrush is viewed from the side in a direction perpendicular to itslongitudinal axis, at least a part of the spikes in one row crossesthose in the adjacent row.
 11. The brush as claimed in claim 1, wherein,when the brush is viewed from the side in a direction perpendicular toits longitudinal axis, at least a part of the spikes in one row does notcross any spike in the adjacent row.
 12. The brush as claimed in claim1, wherein the elongation axes of the spikes in at least two of the krows are all contained in a single plane.
 13. The brush as claimed inclaim 1, wherein, for at least two of the k rows the length of thespikes in the row varies.
 14. The brush as claimed in claim 1, whereinthe longitudinal axis of the brush is rectilinear.
 15. The brush asclaimed in claim 1, wherein, for at least two of the k rows the numberof pairs of consecutive spikes in which the two spikes are both orientedtoward the front or are both oriented toward the rear is less than orequal to 50% of the total number of pairs of consecutive spikes in therow.
 16. The brush as claimed in claim 1, wherein, for at least two ofthe k rows, the number of pairs of consecutive spikes in which the twospikes are oriented with opposite orientations toward the front andtoward the rear, or vice versa, is less than or equal to 75% of thetotal number of pairs of consecutive spikes in the row.
 17. The brush asclaimed in claim 1, wherein, for at least two of the k rows, the numbern of spikes in the row is greater than or equal to
 10. 18. The brush asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the number m of rows is between 6 and 20.19. The brush as claimed in claim 1, wherein, with f being the totalnumber of spikes of the brush and q the total number of values ofdifferent orientations a_(p,y), the ratio q/f is greater than or equalto 50%, p being the rank within the row and y the number of the row. 20.The brush as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least a part of the spikeshave at least one edge.
 21. The brush as claimed in claim 1, wherein allof the spikes in at least two of the k rows have a flat face containedin a single plane for the row.
 22. The brush as claimed in claim 1,wherein, for at least two of the k rows, the distances between the peaksof consecutive spikes in one row are different for at least half of thepairs of consecutive spikes in this row.
 23. The brush as claimed inclaim 1, wherein, for at least two of the k rows, the distances d_(i)and d_(i+1) between the peaks of three consecutive spikes of ranks i,i+1 and i+2 in a row satisfy d_(i)< >d_(i+1).
 24. The brush as claimedin claim 1, which has two rows of consecutive spikes with differentconfigurations, the other rows of spikes being formed by the repetitionof these two rows, with one alternating with the other around thelongitudinal axis of the brush.
 25. The brush as claimed in claim 1,wherein the number of pairs of consecutive spikes within one row thathave a width that, for the first spike in the pair, increases withrespect to the preceding one and, for the second spike in the pair,decreases with respect to the preceding one, or, for the first spike inthe pair, decreases with respect to the preceding one and, for thesecond spike in the pair, increases with respect to the preceding one,is greater than or equal to ⅓ of the total number of spikes in the rowand less than or equal to ⅘.
 26. The brush as claimed in claim 1,wherein the orientations of the elongation axes of the spikes withrespect to the longitudinal axis of the brush are between 70° and 110°.27. The brush as claimed in claim 1, wherein the standard deviationbetween the orientations a_(p) of the spikes within one row is between 5and 15°.
 28. A device for packaging and applying a cosmetic compositionto the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, having: a container containing thecomposition to be applied, a brush as defined in claim
 1. 29. A methodfor cosmetically treating the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, involvingapplying a cosmetic composition to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows withthe aid of a brush as claimed in claim 1 or a device as claimed in claim28.